The Tories took an additional six seats, and at one point looked likely to topple Lib Dem leader Coling Lawley in his Coronation ward.

But after three recounts, 24-year-old Tanya De Hoedt fell just four votes short of ousting Cllr Lawley, who put his party's poor showing down to the ward boundary changes.

Wokingham's Conservative councillors now hold 39 seats, up from 33 at last year's election — with the Lib Dems down five to 15.

But two other ‘heavyweight' Liberal Democrats failed to win back their seats — Keith Malvern in Emmbrook, and Tina Marinos in Evendons — with the Conservatives taking all three seats in both wards.

Cllr Frank Browne, leader of the district council (pictured above), who retained his seat in the Remenham, Wargrave and Ruscombe ward, said he was "absolutely delighted" with the result and that all Conservative councillors had gone into the elections with "the drive to succeed".

"Now that we have a larger majority this is a clear electoral mandate for us to continue with the work we have already done for residents," he said.

"The most pleasing thing for me as leader is that we have a talented team on the Conservative bench with a really promising future that will ensure the vibrancy in the political leadership of this council."

The win by Wokingham's Conservatives reflected the national picture which saw the Tories win the greatest share of the vote and the Liberal Democrats beating Labour into third place.

Boundary changes in all but three wards meant last Thursday's election was the first time full control of the district council had been up for grabs since 2002, with councillors from five political parties contesting all 54 seats.

Overall voter turnout was up 10 per cent to 40.3 per cent, with more than 50 per cent of the electorate in Charvil ward and Remenham, Wargrave and Ruscombe heading for the polling booths.

Cllr Lawley admitted there had been some casualties and said there was now a "lack of Lib Dem representation" in the heart of the district, but vowed to come fighting back.

"This year the odds were against us," said Cllr Lawley.

"The rearrangement in most of the boundaries cost us some wards and this was a really important election for all parties involved.

"Frank Browne brought in a low council tax rise this year, but I pity the electorate next year who I am sure will see a large hike in their council tax bills.

"In my ward I fought harder than I ever have, and as far as I am concerned it was my best ever result.

"We are extremely disappointed to have lost Keith Malvern and Tina Marinos as they will be difficult to replace and I know a lot of people respect them."

The 24 candidates from the UK Independence Party (UKIP) finished just a handful of votes behind the Lib Dems in Arborfield, Wescott and Swallowfield.

Spokesman Frank Carstairs, who stood in Wescott, said he was "encouraged" by the results.

He said: "This year we have managed to get more than double the amount of votes than we did last year."